Barcelona secure a 13th Spanish Super Cup

Barcelona lifted the Spanish Super Cup for a record extending 13th time by coming from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1.

A stunning strike from France winger Ousmane Dembele and a penalty save in stoppage time from Marc-Andre ter Stegen were crucial in Sunday's victory in Morocco.

Barca captain Lionel Messi lifted his first piece of silverware since inheriting the armband from former midfielder Andres Iniesta - the Argentine becoming Barca's most decorated player with 33 trophies to his name.

Copa del Rey runners-up Sevilla took a surprise lead, in the traditional curtain raiser to the La Liga, when Pablo Sarabia fired home in the ninth minute after Luis Muriel had powered his way through the Barca defence.

The video assistant referee (VAR) was used for the first time in Spanish soccer to award the goal, which had initially been ruled offside.

Gerard Pique levelled for Barca shortly before halftime by pouncing on the rebound after Messi's free kick had ricocheted off the post.

Sevilla's Franco Vazquez glanced a header off the crossbar in the second half.

The game appeared to be headed for extra-time until Dembele let fly from outside the area and his shot thumped in off the crossbar in the 78th minute.

"It was a really difficult game because we conceded very early and we had to fight back," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde told reporters.

"We grew as the game went on. It was an exciting game and they also had their chances.

"It's good to win because it gives you belief in what you are doing and it allows you to start the season on the front foot."

Sevilla had a late chance to force extra-time when former Barca player Aleix Vidal was fouled by Ter Stegen in the 89th minute.

But substitute Wissam Ben Yedder's side-footed penalty was easily kept out by the German goalkeeper low to his left.

"My team deserve a lot of credit for showing that we have soul spirit and courage after Dembele's great goal and not only did we win a penalty but we also swarmed all over their goal," Sevilla coach Pablo Machin said.

"It hurts a lot to lose a trophy like this but when your team competes until the end and shows spirit like they did tonight you can't ask for much more."

The Spanish Super Cup ditched its traditional two-legged format and was also played outside Spain for the first time.